STORY CONTINUATION: The Company We Keep

THE COMPANY WE KEEP
(INSERT 6)

“I adore British movies and I find their accent pretty interesting.” she said with a warm smile. I was still checking pots if mum had cooked something but without success, I just had to ask Monica. “Did mum cook before going out?” “Yes, she did. I actually helped her out as she gave me the lecture of a life time, I was surprised though,” she said eagerly. I knew mum had a passionate heart with a very short temper, but it seemed she was working on managing it and was taking it really seriously. Seeing Monica have a free spirit got me so overwhelmed that I just kept smiling. “You can get rice from the pot, and the soup, made by yours truly is in the fridge.” Monica added.
“You made soup!” I exclaimed in surprise. With take away everyday it became hard to know if she could cook or not. My state of surprise made me remember what the Bishop said. “Each one of us has a soul or more that will only change when we stand up for the gospel. Always know that every effort you put in, is surely amounting to something great.” His words echoed in my mind a thousand times as I stood there with a smile. I knew it wasn’t a thousand times but trust me it felt like a thousand. “What’s with the look? Are you trying to tell me that I look like a lady that can’t cook?” she giggled.
I opened the fridge and when I set my eyes on the bowl of soup, my eyes were having a conversation with my stomach. I got my food and we went to sit in the living room. The atmosphere was amazing. Such are days I would imagine but not for once was I convinced that it would actually happen. “Your mum said she wants to counsel me. I asked her if I could stay here but she said she needs to meet my parents first.” Monica said as her face turned blue. “I thought that was good news,
why are you blue all of the sudden?” I questioned her. I wanted more days like this and I was not stopping until Monica was totally free. “My dad. He is something else, he doesn’t believe in religion.” she said.
I was not worried because I knew mum was very persuasive and never backed down easily. “Don’t worry. Besides, it’s not about religion it’s about you having a relationship with Jesus.” I said courageously. Before I knew it our hands were in the air, it was a high five moment. My phone was ringing and I couldn’t remember where I put it. “If you are looking for your phone it’s in the kitchen.” Monica said. I rushed to the kitchen, my phone was on top of the fridge. I got it only to find five messages and two missed calls. It was Norah, I forgot that I had to call her. “Monica do you have airtime!” I shouted. My voice wasn’t the shouting type and it’s not something I enjoyed doing. “I just have minutes.” her voice echoed. Walking back to the living room I started checking my messages, one was from a number I didn’t know, another was from Mum. Norah had sent two, like always our dear network providers were doing what they do best.
“Mum says she will be back around 15hrs, am guessing that’s when we’ll be going to your place.” I read the message out loud. The strange number was actually Mutale. “Do you remember that guy who gave you a card yesterday?” I smiled as I asked. “The one who wore that strong perfume?” she said. Seems like I wasn’t the only one after all, just that statement cracked our ribs up as we laughed. “He just sent me a text. He’s actually the one who picked me up for the all night prayer meeting last night.” I said. For a second Monica was silent, she looked at me head on. “Mmmh are we safe?” she asked. I couldn’t help but laugh. Monica, who just asked me some hours ago to fill in as some strange guy’s girlfriend was now concerned about me? that’s one thing I didn’t see coming.
“Don’t worry we are safe mama.” I replied with a beam. She suddenly went mute; her facial expression was something I was familiar with. I sat upright waiting for her to start, I wanted her to know that I was there for her and willing to listen to her. “I know I have been a bad influence, I just want to say thank you for being that friend who never left.” she said warmly. It’s every girl’s dream to hear a friend’s appreciation speech for just always being there for them.
“Katuu is psychotic, he had made a deal with some Somalian!” she said with a frown. “Huh! you mean the so called friend was a Somalian?” my own frown was enough to express the surprise I had. “Yes. He was paid, he was hooking him up. When we got to the club all was well until Katuu disappeared. Kanshi it was all planned, the man started getting closer and closer until he started touching me.” she said as her face became pale. I was stuck on the thought of Katuu’s action, he sold his girlfriend for sex. I didn’t know people could be so cold, the thought of it made me so furious. There was a moment of sustained silence in the room. “I told the guy I don’t want to be touched, he pretended not to understand what I was saying. It was after I pushed him, then he stood up and hit me. The noise in the club slowly faded away. He held me by the hand and I could hear him say, “after paying all that money you think I will just let you go?” I tried screaming but the music was so loud I guess because no one came to my aid.” Monica said. I knew it wasn’t easy for her, telling me what happened was like re-living every minute of it.
“He dragged me by my hair to the mens bathroom. His friends stood guard, he commanded them not to allow anyone inside. I felt so weak as I lay on the floor, it felt like I was just imagining things because even though I could feel my body I was practically paralyzed and the only thing I could do was stare at him as he started to undress me.” she sobbed as she said this. I have read about women who were kidnapped or poisoned before being sexually abused. The thought of it happening in my country was something that never crossed my mind even once.

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